Agent-based modeling of socio-economic processes related to the environment: Example of land-use change

Abstract

This chapter discusses some of the principles behind multi-agent modeling and shows through the examples from land-use change how they can be applied to deal with socio-economic aspects of environmental issues. An underlying theme is the divide between qualitative and quantitative approaches in the social sciences, though the chapter is also aimed at presenting agent-based modeling to those accustomed to mathematical modeling approaches.